Safety Keanu Neal retires after 8 seasons

Former Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal announced his retirement from football Sunday after eight NFL seasons.

Neal spent five campaigns with the Falcons after the club drafted him in the first round in 2016. The 29-year-old last played for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2023 season.

"God has blessed my family and I in so many ways. Particularly in football," Neal wrote in an Instagram post, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

He added, "Wanna give a big thank you to the Atlanta Falcons for drafting and giving me a chance to make an impact. ... I am incredibly grateful for the coaches and teammates I had the privilege of working with along the way."

Neal became a starter as a rookie during the Falcons' 2016 Super Bowl run. He earned the lone Pro Bowl nod of his career the following season.

Neal also spent one campaign each with the Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He served as a linebacker at times later in his career alongside his primary position of safety.

The Florida native totaled 523 tackles, four interceptions, and 2.5 sacks in his NFL career.